Decompiling Rust: An Empirical Study of Compiler Optimizations and Reverse Engineering Challenges

Fuente: arXiv
Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. Verfasser: Zhou, Zixu
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
_version_ 1866911075930210304
author Zhou, Zixu
author_facet Zhou, Zixu
contents Decompiling Rust binaries is challenging due to the language's rich type system, aggressive compiler optimizations, and widespread use of high-level abstractions. In this work, we conduct a benchmark-driven evaluation of decompilation quality across core Rust features and compiler build modes. Our automated scoring framework shows that generic types, trait methods, and error handling constructs significantly reduce decompilation quality, especially in release builds. Through representative case studies, we analyze how specific language constructs affect control flow, variable naming, and type information recovery. Our findings provide actionable insights for tool developers and highlight the need for Rust-aware decompilation strategies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_18792
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Decompiling Rust: An Empirical Study of Compiler Optimizations and Reverse Engineering Challenges
Zhou, Zixu
Programming Languages
Software Engineering
Decompiling Rust binaries is challenging due to the language's rich type system, aggressive compiler optimizations, and widespread use of high-level abstractions. In this work, we conduct a benchmark-driven evaluation of decompilation quality across core Rust features and compiler build modes. Our automated scoring framework shows that generic types, trait methods, and error handling constructs significantly reduce decompilation quality, especially in release builds. Through representative case studies, we analyze how specific language constructs affect control flow, variable naming, and type information recovery. Our findings provide actionable insights for tool developers and highlight the need for Rust-aware decompilation strategies.
title Decompiling Rust: An Empirical Study of Compiler Optimizations and Reverse Engineering Challenges
topic Programming Languages
Software Engineering
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.18792